Artist Bio:
Ian Startup (1948–2017) was a Canadian artist whose creative path wove together fine craft, architecture, and a deep engagement with place. Born in Toronto, Ian lived in several Southwestern Ontario communities before moving to Nova Scotia in his mid twenties.
As a young man living in Kitchener, Ian began his artistic career as a jeweller. His skills were well received in Nova Scotia where he eventually moved into home design and construction, and he became known for his innovative, energy-efficient approach. He designed and built award-winning homes and pioneered some of Nova Scotia’s first R2000 houses, bringing precision, craftsmanship, and environmental thoughtfulness to his building practice.
Ian was drawn to stone sculpture in the early 1990s after a visit to a quarry where Michelangelo sourced much of his marble. Sculpting became his enduring passion. Over the years Ian developed a body of work characterized by clarity of line, careful detail, and an intuitive sense of structure shaped by his design and construction background. He travelled to stone-rich regions (including Tuscany (Italy), Tinos (Greece), Vietnam, Iqaluit, and Nepal) learning from local artists, forming lasting relationships, and expanding the cultural influences within his practice.
Based primarily in Beach Meadows, Nova Scotia, he continued sculpting and creating until his passing in 2017.
The Installation
With the support of local artist Mike Hintermeister and Gord Grose of Summit Laser, custom bases were thoughtfully designed and fabricated for each sculpture. Both were created using materials that will naturally rust over time, allowing them to blend into the surrounding landscape while letting the artworks themselves take centre stage. For ‘Untitled‘, a desk-style table mount was developed to echo the original plinth on which the sculpture once stood, maintaining a connection to its history.
The placement of ‘Untitled‘, just outside the atrium window, was carefully considered to offer two distinct viewing experiences, inviting audiences to engage with the work from both inside and outdoors. Meanwhile, the ‘Mobius‘ sculpture is positioned along the front pathway where visitors can look through its form toward the new atrium. This framing creates a dreamlike perspective, a subtle nod to the Art Centre’s vision brought to life, and a reminder of the transformative power of imagination.
Installed in November 2025, these sculptures are the newest additions to the Arts Centre’s outdoor sculpture garden, now an integral part of the evolving landscape.
The Sculptures
The estate of Ian Startup generously donated the sculptures to the Arts Centre, which was deeply meaningful on several levels, including the connection through his daughter, Molly Kleiker, and her work with the Arts Centre. The sculptures are situated along the new pathway that winds around the new atrium.
From left to right: 1. ‘Mobius’, 2001 – Ian Startup, granite 2. ‘Untitled’, 2015 – Ian Startup, Italian Bardiglio Marble